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There is no serious momentum in economic activity that gives endless time to the leaders of the eurozone to agree measures that will provide reassurance to creditors and investors that Spain and Italy will ultimately be able to pay all their debts”

The weak growth figures are expected to raise further questions about the strength of the eurozone economy, particularly in light of figures released last week showing that French economic growth came to a standstill between April and June.

European markets fell in early trading following the growth data, but recovered slightly by mid-afternoon. Frankfurt's Dax index was down 1.1%, the Cac 40 in Paris lost 0.9% and London's FTSE 100 falling 0.4%.

In New York, the Dow Jones index opened slightly lower.

Markets had recovered slightly on Friday and Monday from high volatility last week and sharp falls the previous week.

'Serious disappointment'

In addition to the weak second-quarter growth figure, the estimate for German economic growth in the first quarter of the year was revised down to 1.3% from a previous estimate of 1.5%.

Analysis

Stephan EvansBBC News, Leipzig

The puzzle for Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy is how to keep the eurozone system intact, in its present form of 17 member states, without promising endless bailouts if weaker economies continually fail to put their finances in order.

German economic growth until now has been the potential buffer. But if the latest figures of a measly 0.1% growth for the second three months of the year turn from a blip into a trend, two things happen.

The likelihood of a return to recession in Europe is increased - and that would put more pressure on the public finances of Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain and everybody else.

And the reluctance of the German taxpayer to deliver rescue money in return for the continuance of the euro might be increased.

German economists think two things are going on. One is that consumers seem to have got more fearful and are starting to save rather than spend, not that they were spending crazily before.

And the second is that exports seem to have faltered, and they attribute that to a malaise across the rest of Europe which is Germany's prime market.

Mrs Merkel and Mr Sarkozy have begun key talks on how best to solve the eurozone debt crisis.

Reports had suggested the leaders would discuss the possible introduction of so-called eurobonds - IOUs issued to investors backed by the bloc as a whole rather than individual countries.

Italy has backed the idea, while billionaire investor George Soros told the BBC that the bonds could be an effective way of reducing the borrowing costs of highly-indebted nations.

However, both Berlin and Paris have said eurobonds will not be discussed.

Both French and German leaders, along with the European Central Bank, are putting pressure on so-called peripheral economies to extend austerity measures to try to balance their budgets.

Major economies are also making cuts - Italy announced tougher austerity measures designed to reduce its budget deficit on Friday, while Spain has also said it will speed up spending cuts.

However, there are fears that spending cuts by governments will undermine overall economic growth.

In an article published in the Financial Times newspaper, the head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, warned governments that they must balance spending cuts with measures to support growth to avoid the risk of a double-dip recession.

Ms Lagarde acknowledged the need for governments to reduce debt levels, but said "slamming on the brakes too quickly would hurt the recovery and worsen job prospects".

It could also undermine further the confidence of international investors, she said.

"While [markets] dislike high public debt - and may applaud sharp fiscal consolidation - they dislike low or negative growth even more."

Comments

Comment number 76.

mrwobbles16th August 2011 - 13:41

How long before the Germany economy buckles under the strain of supporting, Greece, Ireland, Spain and now Italy? With rumours of a downgrade for France how much longer can the Euro last in its current form? I think the only logical recourse is to adopt fiscal union across the Eurozone; harmonising taxes, spending as well as regulation of the financial sector. Is that politically achievable? No.

Comment number 19.

Abdi16th August 2011 - 11:06

The Euro is now on the precipice and just like a high stakes poker game the only choices are 'All In' or 'Fold' and the consequences for 'all in' are less severe (at least in the short run, and medium term). German taxpayers will unfortunately have to bear greater fiscal integration which they will bankroll and at the same time Italians, Spanish and Greeks will have to bear fiscal tightening

Comment number 17.

monkeypuzzletree16th August 2011 - 11:04

If the Germans havee kept Europe afloat, then it might be they have reached their sell by date. And if the German economy goes into a big dip, then maybe it's lights out all around the EU. That, or a step nearer a federal Europe, probably the thinking behind the euro to begin with.

Comment number 11.

Inglenda216th August 2011 - 10:50

The Euro is not a success, because each country has its own tax and social-security programme. An international currency can only work when the basic conditions of all partners are the same. This also applies to Euro-Bonds. The European economy has been built from the roof downwards and that is the main reason for a possible collapse.

Comment number 8.

sackofpotatoes16th August 2011 - 10:42

Perhaps the Germans will wake up one morning with government announcements saying that the Euro had been disbanded and they will henceforth be using the D-Mark again. This is what happens when you build something with foundations made of hope and naivety. The Euro was a lovely idea, but a huge mistake.

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